25 Jun We are making it personal!
Dear Partners & Friends,
This second wave hit too close to home; closer than any of us were prepared for, especially in South Asia. This time around, it was not just about us bringing food and supplies to the doorsteps of people we barely knew. This time, we heard death knock on our doors bringing news of families, close friends, church members, pastors, and mission workers who didn’t make it. The death toll was not just numbers we heard on the news – they were names we knew too well, many whom we carried in our hearts. This time, it became too personal.
When the first wave of this pandemic in 2020 brought about unimaginable catastrophe, chaos and casualties, we at AsiaCMS quickly responded and our mission partners got going to bring relief to those affected on the ground. Between April to June last year, we disbursed well over RM200k (USD55k), which helped alleviate the suffering of close to 3,000 households across 10 nations in South East Asia and South Asia.
You helped us meet that need. Your financial support and prayers allowed us to walk alongside those who were hit the hardest by this pandemic. In May this year, when the 2nd wave hit India and the surrounding nations in South Asia, we initiated yet another fundraising drive. But this time, we wanted it to be more personal.
Our fundraising efforts over the last 3 weeks have connected those who could give – directly to those who were in need. In one instance, there was a need for oxygen concentrators in North India. Subsequently, a Malaysian donor, based in the UK, raised funds and sent them directly to a contact in Delhi to buy the needed concentrators.
In another instance, we connected churches and individuals so they could give funds directly to specific mission partners and pastors in India, who were either affected by the virus and needing financial help or devastated by the loss of the sole breadwinner in their families.
Just last week, we received this update from one such partner – Sundar Dhoka Saathi Sewa (SDSS), a registered, non-profit NGO in the Lalitpur district of Nepal. SDSS aims to provide health services to persons from remote areas of Nepal.
When the lockdown in Kathmandu led to an overwhelmed health system and shortage of hospital beds, ventilators and oxygen, SDSS collaborated with the local government and city officials to start an Isolation Centre. Within a month, the Centre provided free beds and medical aid to 155 patients who were in dire need.
This is Kanchi Maya, a 66-year-old from Lalitpur, who was the first patient at the Isolation Center. She came in gasping for air and in need of immediate medical attention. For the next six days, she received oxygen and medical care at the SDSS Isolation Centre.
A week later, she recovered fully. This picture was taken on the day she was discharged, happily waiting for her son to pick her up and grateful for the support and medical aid she received.
You are very much part of her story and testimony! Your giving allowed us to sow into this Isolation Centre. We are grateful for your continued support of our relief efforts.
Missions is all about relationships and connecting people in this manner is what we seek to do. We are greatly encouraged by the responses we have received thus far – not only from those donating funds but from those wanting to connect directly with those in need.
Within the next month, we hope to share more stories and testimonies from those who received your help. Until then, we value your ongoing prayers.
Serving with you,
Suzane Christie – Communications Manager
ACMS-Covid19 UPDATE No 1 [June2021]